S. Burlinson et al., EFFECT OF APOLIPOPROTEIN-E STATUS ON CLINICAL-FEATURES OF DEMENTIA, International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 13(3), 1998, pp. 177-185
Objective. The aims of this study were (a) to determine the frequency
of APOE genotypes in dementia, (b) to relate e4 allele frequency to cl
inical symptomatology of dementia and (c) to relate e4 and assess risk
factors for different types of dementia. Design. Prospective clinical
study setting older patients with dementia known to a community-based
old age psychiatry service. Sample. 101 patients fulfilling ICD 10 cr
iteria for dementia. Results. Replication of previous findings of an a
ssociation between APOE4 and Alzheimer's disease: younger age of onset
of dementia; family history of dementia; persecutory ideation; and (r
etrospectively determined) rate of competent decline. No association w
as found between APOE4 and vascular dementia. The association between
APOE4 and 'mixed dementia' was intermediate between that of pure Alzhe
imer's disease and pure vascular dementia. Conclusion. The results con
firm the relationship between clinical features of dementia and APOE4
status. It may be that APOE can be used as an adjunct to clinical diag
nosis. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.